CA2194368A1

CA2194368A1 - Soil sampler

Info

Publication number: CA2194368A1
Application number: CA002194368A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Gary G. Peterson; Jacob N. Gust; Virgil R. Mahlum; Michael W. Smette
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: CEE LLC
Priority date: 1994-07-05
Filing date: 1995-07-05
Publication date: 1996-01-18
Also published as: AU2960295A; US5435399A; AU688073B2; EP0765430A4; EP0765430A1; WO1996001360A1

Abstract

A soil sampler (10) for taking soil samples at multiple locations around a vehicle is disclosed. The soil sampler (10) has a probe (82) for withdrawing soil samples from the ground. The probe (82) is suspended on a support structure or boom assembly (20) which can move the probe (82) to multiple withdrawal locations around a vehicle. The soil sampler (10) has a percussion-type vibrator (50) to aid in inserting the probe (82) into the ground. The vibrator assembly (50) operates automatically off a hydraulic line (144) used to lower the boom assembly (20), such that the vibrator (50) normally operates only when the probe (82) is encountering significant resistance to being pressed into the ground. The support structure (20) is raisable to allow an operator within the vehicle to collect multiple soil samples without leaving the vehicle.

Description

~WO96/013~0 219~3~B r~.,u~,.,a 112 SOIL SAMPLER
BA~K~'.ROUND OF THF INVENTION
This invention is directed to soil sampling, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for sampling soil at multiple 5 locations around a vehicle.
Soil sampling has been done in the past for various a~ ;- ~-lu l ~ ~ 1 purposes. Soil samples are taken from the top few feet of ground where plants and their roots grow. The samples are analyzed to determine the relevant chernical properties of the soil, moisture content, etc. Sampling 10 results are then used to determine an agricultural strategy which may includesuch d t ... ;~ as the type and spacing of crops most suitable for the soil, the proper type and amount of fertilizer, the proper type and amount of herbicide, etc.
As soil sample results have become more and more valuable 15 in ~1~ t ; ;~ an effective &~,~il..Ul~Ul~d strategy, it has been l'~,~,U~ll~d tbat single samples do not always provide accurate results. Occasionally very localized soil content anom lies will cause the sample taken not to be ir dicative of the area of the field that the sample represents. Accordingly, it is now IC~ ... .A~d that multiple soil samples be taken from a star-shaped pattern, from locations on a circle of a diameter not less than twelve (12) feet. Such a star pattern ensures significant spacing between multiple soil samples, so that very localized soil anomalies can be avoided. Averaging techniques can then be used to better determine a proper agricultural strategy for that section of the plot.
Through star pattern sampling t~ochni~ s~ accurate soil .h~ can be ~L t . I ~d for fairly large sampling spacing. For example, one star pattern may accurately reflect soil conditions over a 2 to 4 acres span. Sizable plots will obviously require numerous star patterns to d~ ~illcd broad-based changes in soil content. Accurate averaged results 30 from these numerous star patterns can then be further ~ ul-lrd to WO961013~0 ~ PCrIUS!~Sl~S'422--2~ g~3~$

provide an agricultural strategy which takes into account variations in soil conditions across a large plot. For instance, global satellite P~ e can be utilized in, ; with soil sample results to Al 1~ y alter the amount and type of fertilizer spread during runs a~oss the field by a single 5 unit. As agricultural strategy becomes more and more sttI)hi~tirltr~ the ulLallce of soil sampling is becoming more and more signifir~mt Previous soil sarnplers have taken samples from a single location off of the vehicle to which the sampler is mounted. For instance, U.S. Patent No~ 4,685,339 to Philipenko and owned by the assignee of the 10 present invention, discloses a soil sampler which is mounted on a vehicle such as a pickup truck. The Philipenko soil sampling probe moves vertically to take a sample, but does not otherwise move with respect to the pickup truck. To take sarnples from multiple locations, the pickup truck must be moved.
SUMMARY OF THF INVENTION
The present invention is a method and apparatus for taking soil samples from multiple locations around a vehicie. A soil sampler has a probe which is pressed into the ground. Withdrawal of the probe from the ground ejects a sample into a sample collection receptacle. The probe is 20 carried by a movable support structure or boom assembly. The base of the boom assembly can be attached into a bed of a piclcup truck or on a trailer.
The boom assembly moves through two hydraulically powered features: a rotation motor which can rotate the boom assembly through about 280~ of rotation; and a cylinder which can raise and lower the boom assembly (and 25 the probe attached thereto). The boom assembly also carries a second hydraulically powered motor which energizes a percussion vibrator which can hammer the probe into the ground. The vibrator is ~I;c.~Lul~ useful for pressing the probe into the ground at locations spaced from the vehicle wheel base. The vibrator motor is ~ntom:~tir~lly activated by a pressure 30 sensitive switch on the hydraulic cylinder, such that the vibrator selectively ~WO9610136U 2~ 94~68 r~ s~122 operates when the boom assembly ~.l..,.., .t~ . ~ significant pressure in pressing the probe into the ground. The boom assembly can also raise the probe to the driver's vehicle window, such that the sample collection receptacle can be removed by an operator without leaving the cab of the vehicle. The 5 sample collection receptacle can house numerous samples, such as from the four or five locations of the star patterns described earlier.
BRIEF DF.~CRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the soil sampler of the present invention mounted in the bed of a pickup truc~
FIC;. 2 is a p~ ,c.livc view of the base section of the soil sampler.
F1G. 3 is a side p~l~,u~live view of the soil sampler in position for the pickup truck operator to remove the sample collection receptacle fiom the probe.
FIG. 4 is a broken out cross-sectional view of the vibrator weights taken along line 4 4 of FIG. 1.
FlG. 5 is a side elevational view of the hammer and probe stem section of the soil sampler, shown in partial cross-section.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional plan view of the probe and the 20 sample collection receptacle of the soil sampler, taken along line 6-6 of FIGS. 1 and 7.
FIG. 7 is an elevational view in partial cross-section of the probe and the sample collection receptacle of the soil sampler, showing the probe and sample collection receptacle prior to pressing the probe into the 25 ground, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is the cross sccLiu~lal elevational view of FIG. 7, shown ~ during extraction of the probe ~rom the ground.
FIG. 9 is an dC~afiOI~I view similar to FIG. 7 of an alternate cl~bodi~llwll of the probe assembly.

WO g6/01360 2 I ~ ~ 3 6 ~
.' 1 FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional plan view of the alternate ..,.I.o.l;.... ~ of the probe assembly taken along line 1~10 of FIG. 9.
F1G. 11 is an electrical schematic of the soil sarnpler of thc present invention.
FIG. 12 is a hydraulic schematic of the soil sampler of the present inventiorL
While the above-identified drawing figures setforth alternative ii".."~, other Pmho-lim~nrc of the present invention are also d, as uotcd in the discussion. In all cascs, this disclosurc presents iIlustrated ~ "ho~ of the preseni invention by way of io~ and not limitation. Numerous other mollihr:ltinn~ and ~, l o~ can be devised by those skilled in the srt which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this invention, DEl'Al'l .F,T~ DESCRlPrlON OF THE PRFFERRED El~,~OD MF,~TS
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, soil sampler 10 of the present invention includes boom assembly 20~ vibrator assembly 50, probe assembly 80 and controi panel 130.
Boom assembly 20 includes three ~3) beams 22, 24, 26 supported on base 28. Base 28 of soil sampler 1U is shown attached in the bed 152 of a pickup truck 150. Base beam 22 is pivotally attached to base 2~ at pivot point 30 and supported by hydraulic cylinder 32. T, ~
beam 24 rigidly COMectS base beam 22 to outer beam 26. Extension of hydraulic cylinder 32 raises the entire boom assembly 20 through rotation about pivot point 30, and shonening hydrauiic cylinder 32 lowers boorn assembly 20. This rotation of boom assembly 20 about pivot point 30 provides a first degree of freedom of the boom assembly system for placing the probe assembly 80 in the proper positiorl. As will be described below, hydraulic cylinder 32 may be shortened and boom assembly 20 lowered past contact of prabe assembly 80 with the ground, sa as to force probe 82 into the ground.

~WO !~6/01360 219 4 3 B ~ 7 ~ As showD in FIG. 2, base 28 includes a lowe} anchoring portion 34 which may be securely anchored into bed 152 of pick-up truck 150. An upper rotating portion 36 of base 28 rides on bearings to allow rotation about axis 38. Gear 40 engages in chain 42, and chain 42 extends 5 around and is secured to upper rotating portion 36. A hydrauiically driven motor 44 rotates gear 40, which in turn rotates upper rotating portion 36.
Because boom acsembly 20 is attached to upper rotating portion 36, energizing of motor 44 rotates the entire boom assembly 20 about axis 38, through the length of travel of chain 42. This rotation of boom assembly 20 10 about axis 38 provides a secor~d degree of freedom of the boom assembly system.
Upper rotating portion 36 can preferably be rotated through a 288~ arc about axis 38. Cyiinder 32 and rotation motor 44 thus allow probe assembly 80 to be raised or lowered anywhere on this 288~ arc, 15 allowing probe assembly 80 to take samples in a star-shaped collection pattern about axis 38. As shown in FIG. 3, a 288~ arc aiso ailows sample collection receptacle 104 to be raised to an access location for an operator inside the cab 158 of the vehicle. Eaton Corp. of Cleveland, Ohio provides a #101-1007, 17.9 cubic inch hydraulic motor which is suitable for rotation 20 motor 44. Workers skilled in the art will appreciate that more or less rotation, including cr~ntinnonc rotation through a 360~ circle, may be beneficial to their particular ~
Workers skilied in the art will recognize that many other types of boom accPmhl; c would also be suitable for this ~ppli~ti--n provided they ~ 25 effective support the probe for movement to multiple locations. Three rigidiy connected beams 22, 24, and 26 are preferred for raising boom assembly 20 over the wails lL54 of the pickup truck bed 152 and for adequately po~;l ;-) . l ~ the various ~t)mponr ntC of soil sampler 10, but other types of boom :~ccPmhlips may also be suitable. For instance, while boom assembly 20 as described oniy includes two degrees of freedom wos6/0l360 ~1943~8 r l~

~raising/lowering and rotation), workers skilled in the art will apprcciate thata third degree of freedom, allowing movement of probe assembly 80 toward and away from the pickup truck 150, may be beneficial. This could easily be P~ ..""~ l.rd by adding a second hydraulic cylinder between beams, by 5 making one or more of the bearns ~Yt~n~lh~r or by other ways known in the art. While the boom assembly shown only allows probe assembly 80 to be positioned along an arc centering on rotation axis 38, a third degree of freedom ~hould allow probe assembly 80 to be placed anywhere between the picLup truck 150 and the external reach of boom assembly 20.
A preferred vibrator assembly 50 and its ~,.ul.o.~ are best shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. As shown in FIG. 1~ preferred vibrator assembly SO includes hydraulically powered vibrator motor 52 mounted along the joint between base beam 22 and i,.t~ " r~ ~e beam 24. Gresen ~s~.".r~ ,...;,~g Co. of MinnPPpnii~, Minn.-c~lt:l provides a MGG 2002 0.450 cubic inch lS motor which is suitable for vibrator motor S2. Vibrator motor 52 is shown wjth hydraulic feed line S4 and hydraulic return line 56 attached. Vibration unit 58 is shown mounted along the joint between illL~ ed;3te beam 24 and outer beam 26, and is powered from vibrator motor 52 via drive shaft 60.
Vibration unit 58 causes vibration arms 62 to .~ ,~Le.
As shown in FlCi. 4, vibration unit 58 includes housing 59 around two eccentric weights 66, 68. Drive shaft 60 rotates eccentric weight 66 about axis 72. Through gears 70, 71 eccentric weight 68 is rotated in the opposite direction about axis 74. Vibration unit 58 is rigidly attached to vibration arms 62. Vibration arms 62 are supported by but not rigidly attached to housing 59, such that vibration is a~bct~nri~lly ~ d only to vibration arms 62 and not to housing 59 and the rest of boom assembly In the horizontal direction, the vibration caused by rotation of eccentric weight 66 offsets the vibration caused by eccent~ic weight 68. ln the direction of outer beam 26 and vibration arms 62 (i.e., norm~ to the axLs ~WO 96/013~iO ~ ~ I /IJ..,','~ I??
21943~8 72, 74), the vibration caused by both eccentric weights 66, 68 is additive.
Vibration unit 58 i5 contained by but not attached to boom assembly 20, allo ving essentially vertical motion of vibration unit 58 and attached arms 62.
A preferred vibrator assembly 50 uses drive shaft 60 to separate vibration unit 58 from motor 52, to lessen the harmful effects of such repeated vibration on motor 52. Drive shaft 60 contains Ujoint 75 which ci)~nifi~ ntly dampens the vibration from reaching motor 52. Workers skilled in the art will appreciate that widely varied alternative mounting dl~ and widely varied alternative vibrator ,,~ 5 may prove beneficial, so long as they transfer vibration to probe 82 to aid in incerting probe 82 into the ground.
The structure for ~ L~ g I c~ athlg motion from vibration arms 62 to probe 82 is best described with reference to FIG. 5.
Hammer 64 is pivotally attached to vibration arms 62. Hammer 64 is preferably a tubular sleeve which rides on probe stem 84 between stroke fixing collar 90 and anvil 88. Upper guide assembly 100 includes platform 85, stem guide 86 and ears 87, and is pivotal}y attached to outer beam 26 by ears 87 and pins 96. Probe 82 is attached to probe stem 84, and probe stem 84 slides vertically within stem guide 86. Spring collar 94 is attached on the lower side of probe stem 84, anvil 88 is attached to probe stem 84 at an d;.lte position ~above stem guide 86 but below hammer 64), and stroke fixing collar 90 is attached on the upper side of probe stem 84.
CUII1JJ-~ ~ spring 92 is carried on probe stem 84 between spring collar 94 ~md stem guide 86. Spring collar 94 butting up against ~UII~JII ~ spring 92 and the lower side of stem guide 86 limits upward sliding of probe stem 84. Anvil 88 butting up against the upper side of stem guide 86 limits downward sliding of probe stern 84. Spring collar 94 and stroke fixing collar 90 are preferably attached to probe stem 84 by a set screw, allowing WO96/013G0 I~I~O~.,S'. ~
2~9 ~ 6~

~dj~ of collar position and ease of assembly. Anvil 88 is preferably welded to probe stem 84.
The operation of the hammer structure shown in FIG. 5 is as follows. Ccll.yl~ Oll spring 92 retains probe stem 84 in an e~tended S position, un]ess probe 82 is being inserted into the ground. During insertion (i.e., lowering of outer beam 26), ground resistance tends to press probe 82 and probe stem 84 upward relative to upper guide assembly 100 and stem guide 86. When ground resistance is sufficient, the vibrator assembly 50 is energized. Energizing of vibrator motor 52 causes rotation of drive shaft 60, 10 which in turn causes rotation of eccentric weights 66, 68, which in turn causes linear l~;ylu~ iun of vibration arms 62. Rc~;ylu~,aLiull of vibration arms 6~ moves hammer 64 vertically back and forth in direction 65. During each duwl~lu~e, harnmer 64 slides on probe stem 84 until it strikes anvil 88, l -".,. ;,.~ probe stem 84 and probe 82 downward. The length of 15 upstroke of hammer o4 is controlled by the pl ~~hi- ..,; ilg of stroke fixing collar 90 in ,..."jl,l,. Onl. with the .~ l .;llg effect of C~ spring 92.
Rcc;yluca~iu" of vibration arms 62 thus causes hammer 64 to repeatedly hammer probe stem 84 downward into the ground.
As shown in FIG. 5, probe assembly 80 is attached to outer beam 26 by pins 96, such that probe assembly 80 can pivot about axis 98.
A preferred probe assembly 80 pivots freely about axis 98, which is defined by pins 96. The pin eonnection allows probe assembly 80 to be repeatedly placed in an ~Ly~luylidk: vertical oriï nt~-inn through gravity and make appropriate contact with the grolmd sur~ace without regard to the Ul i~ iOn of truck 150 and boom assembly 20. The pin cnnn~ctinn further allows probe assembly 80 to be folded into the pickup bed 152 when ll~yulLillb soil sampler 10 between locations. To pro~ide the same pivoting freedom, hammer 64 is attached to vibration arms 62 through pins 76 such that hammer 64 can also pivot about axis 98.

~WO gC/013~iO ~r~ 7 21~43~8 ., As shown in FIG. 1 and 5-8 probe assembly 80 includes probe 82, upper guide assembly 100, lower guide assembly 102, and sample collection receptacle 104. Probe 82 is preferably as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,685,339 to Philipenko, which is in~ul,uulated herein by reference.
S Workers skilled in the art will recognize that any sort of probe may be ill~.Ul,UUI ~-lcd to better meet their purposes, so long as the probe takes a soil sample from the ground. When probe 82 is pressed into the ground (FIG.
7), lower gLude assembly 110 and sample collection receptacle 104 are supported by the ground and move upward with respect to upper guide assembly 100 and probe 82. When probe 82 is raised out of the ground (FIG. 8), lower guide assembly 110 with extraction finger 106 and sample collection receptacle 104 remain at ground level, and extraction finger 106 ejects a sample from probe 82 into sample collection receptacle 104.
As shown in FIG. 7, lower guide assembly 102 preferably has a bottom plate 108 and a top plate 110 separated by a distance 112. Placing top plate 110 this distance 112 above bottom plate 108 allows probe 82 to be extracted beyond bottom plate 108, and thus provides for additional room for sample collection receptacle 104 beneath extraction finger 106 without ground illtCIf~ ,C.
Sample collection receptacle 104 has two sleeves 114 which are sized for mounting on carrier pins 116. No further means to secure sample collection receptacle 104 are provided, and it can be readily removed from-lower guide assembly 102 without the use of tools. Slight ",;' l;~"",. ..l between the axes of carrier pins 116 and sleeves 114 may be necessary to provide proper retention of sample collection receptacle 104. Preferably, carrier pins 116 have tapered ends for ease of insertion into sleeves 114.
l~et:~rl~S~hi~ity of sample collection receptacle lW enhances ease of removing samples from receptacle 104 when the operator so desires. Workers skilled in the art will appreciate that any method of attachin& sample collection receptacle 104 to lower guide assembly 102 is suitable so long as it can be W096/01360 r~,"-s,,.~, 7~--21943~8 readily detached by the operator. Altc.l~Li.~ly, sample collection receptacle 104 may be p~ ly attached to guide 86 if other methods of removing samples are provided.
As mPntirnlod above, lower guide assembly 102 is not fLYed S with respect to probe 82, but rather allows probe 82 to extend through lower guide assembly 102 when probe 82 is inserted into the ground. As shown in FIG. 6, four guide rods 118 are preferably positioned in Lhe corners of lower guide assembly 102. Upper guide assembly 100 has four sleeves 120 (FIG.
~) which slidably receive guide rods 118. Guide rods 118 extend upwardly from lower guide assembly 102 and through sleeves 120. Cornpression springs 119 may be mounted on guide rods 118.
Upper guide assembly 100 is attached to pins 96 such that it is raised and lowered with probe 82. SleeYes 120 provide a linear bearing surface for upper g~udc assembly 100 on guide rods 118, to keep probe 1~ assembly 80 in alignment when taking samples. When probe 82 is lowered into the ground, upper guide assembly 100 moves dvw~.... dl~ along guide rods 118, while lower guide assembly 10 and sample collection receptacle 104 remain at ground surface, until a full length of probe depth is achieved.
Culll~ o Oll springs 119 prevent excessive movement of upper guide assembly 100 into lower Bide assembly 102.
As shown in FIG. 6, probe assembly 80 is provided with two depth control tubes 122. Similar to guide rod 118, depth control tubes l~
are attached to lower guide assembly lû2 to project upwardly from ground surface through upper guide assembly 100. Each depth control tube 122 2~ includes dcpth control collar 124 (FIG. 1) which is adjustably located along the length of depth control tube 122. When probe 82 is pressed into the ground, upper guide assembly 100 moves downward, but depth control tubes l~ remain extended above ground level. Contact of upper guide assembly 100 with depth control collars 124 allows for accurately l~,lJlUdUCill~, the insertion depth for probe 82. For maximum probe depth, depth control ~~096/013hO r~~ 22 2194~G8 collars 124 are not used and probe 82 is inserted until upper guide assembly lOv contacts lower guide assembly 102 or CU~ iUII springs 119 are fully ~ ~u---~ d~ ' The operation of probe 82 occurs as follûws. When inserted S into the ground, the three side walls ûf probe 82 are pressed around a soil sample. Probe 82 is lowered until upper guide assembly 100 contacts depth control collars 124. As shown in FIG. 8, when probe 82 is raised, extraction finger 106 ejects soil within probe 82 into sample collectiûn receptacle 104.
Sample collection receptacle 104 is sized to receive multiple soil samples, 10 such as from five locations of a star-pattern described earlier.
In an alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the four guide rods 118 and two depth control tubes 122 are replaced by two larger cnmhin:~tinn rods 126. C~ ;nn rods 126 have depth stop collars 128 similar in function to depth control collars l24 described previously. When probe 82 is pressed into the ground, upper guide assembly 100 moves downward, but ~ n~ rods 126 remain extended above ground level.
Contact of upper guide assembly 100 with depth stop collars 128 prevents further insertion of probe 82. By m~mlf~t-lnng L.v.,.l.;..~l;n" rods 126 out of stronger or larger diameter tubing, ~v~ ;oll rods 126 provide 20 adequate bearing surface for upper guide assembly 100 without using four additional guide rods 118.
Referring now to FIG. 1, soil sampler 1û of the present invention is shown in a sample removal location. Hydraulic cylinder 32 is shortened such that probe 82 is pressed against the ground. As probe 82 is 25 pressed further downward, vibration assembly 50 is activated if and when the ground provides significant resistance to the lowering probe 82. After talcing a first sample, boom assembly 20 may be rotated to take a second sarnple 5-15 feet from the first location. Sample collection receptacle lW is size to nmmn-i~t-~ at least five samples, such that an entire star pattern may be 30 taken without removing the samples.

W096iU1360 PCTII~S95108J22--2 ~

Referring now to FIG. 3, 50il sampler 10 is shown in a position where sample collection receptacle lW may be removed by an operator without the operator leaving the cab 158 of the vehicle. Hydraulic cylinder 32 is extended such that the lower end of probe assembly 80 is adjacent the 5driver's window 15fi of the pickup 150. The driver may simply reach out of his window, remove sample collection receptacle 104 from carrier pins 11fi, take the samples from sample collection receptacle 104 and place them into a storage bin or other suitable container for labeling and snhceqll~nt handling, and then return sample collection receptacle lW to carrier pins 10116. With this method, soil sampler 10 is ready to take additional samples v.~ithout any further h~vol~ of the operator.
As shown in FIG. 1, all or part of controi panel 130 may be mounted on an umbilical cord 132 and hand control 134 which may be extended into the cab 158 of the pickup truck 150. In this way, the operator 15can control soil sampler 10 with ever having to leave the cab 158. This is pdl Li~ul~l,y~ helpful when taking samples from numerous locations around the truck 150 and from numerous truck locations, IJ~II L~ul -lly in indement weathe-r. Alternatively, control panel 130 could be mounted anywhere desired to provide beneficial access of the operator.
20Rotation and raising and lowering of boom assembly 20 can be controlled by the operator such that soil sarnples are taken from a star pattern or other desired locations along an arc around the pickup truck 150.
Alternatively, movement of boom assembly 20 may be controlled by computer or similar apparatus (not shown) such that a desired sample ~ 25location pattern is always mslin~in~ Additionally, the computer wou]d be able to ~ nlu~,;bl~ position probe 82 in the raised location adjacent the driver's window 156 for ease of removing sample collection receptacle 104.

FIG. 11 shows an electrical schematic for soil sampler 10, and 30Fl&. 12 shows a hydraulic schematic for soil sampler 10. These two 'at wo 9C101360 . ~ u~ 22 ~ 19~3~8 ~. h~ . read in ~ n~i~n detail the operation of the entire preEerred system. As shown in F~G. I 1, electrical control for soil sampler 10 generaliy includes eight switches (labelled S~Y1, S~2, SW3, SW4, SW6, SW7, SW8 and PS1), five of which are externai s~itches operated by the user. Switch SW8, together with 10 amp fuse 135, is a user-operated power switch for the entire system. Switch SWI is a user~operated toggle switch (which ~ rn~tir~lly operates switch SW2) for right and/or left rotation of boom assembly 20. Switch SW3 is a use}-operated toggle switch (which I I IA l ;. ~ y operates switch SW4) to raise and lower hydraulic cylinder 32.
Switches SW6, SU'7 and pressure s~hitch PS1 control vibrator assembly 50. Piressure switch PS1, shown on the hydraulic schematic of FIG.
12, is Alll.lll.Al;~ .lly operated by the hydraulic pressure used to lower boom assembly 20 arid normally activates vibrator assembly 50. Switch SW7 is a user-operated, normally-closed toggle switch which allows the user to deactivate ibrator assembly 50 if necessary. User-operated override push-button switch 6 is provided to allow the user to activate vibrator assembly 50 even though the pressure required to activate pressure switch PS1 has not been reached. The various sv~itches activate valve solenoids (VSI to VS6) as shown in the hydraulic schematic of FIG. 12.
The hydraulic system s~hem~irAlly shown in FIG. 12 is operated off a dual pump 136. An SMP 2 tandem 0.24/0.24 cubic inch motor/pump from Sundstrand Corp. of Rockford, Illinois has been found adequate for this Al~y~ Dual pump 136 ~ iUli'~ two separate hydraulic circuits, one for the llwvc~llltlll of boom assembly 20 and one for ~ibrator assembly 50.
The hydraulic circuit for Ill.~ lL of boom assembly 20 works as follows. "Unload" valve solenoid VS5 normaltiy directs high hydraulic pressure from dual pump 136 back to hydraulic supply tank 138.
However, as the electric schematic of FIG. 11 shows, activation of switch SW1 (for base motor 44) or svtitch SW3 (for hydraulic cylinder 32) activates ~'O '11~/013C0 r~ . '7~ ~' ~ 9~3~

valve solenoid VS5 to provide high pressure hydraulic fluid to hydraulic feed line~s l43. Base motor 44 (for rotation of boom assembly 20) is activated by valve solenoid VSI (right rotation) or valve solenoid VS2 (left rotation) through switch SW1. Hydraulic cylinder 32 (for raising/lowering boom 5 assembly 20) is activated through switch SW3, in the up direction by energizing valve solenoid VS3 and in the down direction by energizing valve solenoid VS4.
~rhe hydraulic circuit for base motor 44 includes crossover relief valve 140 setting maximum right and left rotation pressure. A
10 maximum rotation pressure of 300 p~si has proven effective to prevent Lluuu~ force on the boom rotation. If boom as~sembly 20 L u o~ a fixed object during rotation, then 300 psi maximum pressure will be reached, and crossover relief valve 140 will activate to relieve further pressure. The fi1~ed object could be probe 82 being left imserted in the ground, a wall, a 15 vehicle or even a person. In this way, the system avoids the harmful effects of boom rotation through the object. Cro~sover relief valve 142 for hydraulic cylindcr 32 is provided such that the maximum vertical pressure on the hydraulic system is 1200 to 1900 psi.
Pressure switch PS1 is located on hydraulic feed line 144 to 20 lower boom assembly 20. If the pressure lowering boom a~ssembly 20 exceeds a set pressure (e.g., 200 p.s.i., or any other set pres~sure appropriatefor the :lppli~tir)n), pressure switch PSl energizes valve solenoid VSG and turns on vibrator assembly 50. ~s can be seen, pressure switch PSl will normally only be activated when probe 82 is meeting sigmficant resistance 2S to being pressed downward into the ground.
Vibrator assembly 5Q operates off the second output 54 of dual pump 136 and is activated by valve solenoid VS6. Pressure relief valve 146 is provided such that vibrator a~ssembly 50 works off 500 to 2000 psi hydraulic pressure.

IW096/0l360 ~19436~ r~ ~ . 122 Although the present invention has been described with referencetopreferred~.. l,o~l;,.. l~ workersskilledintheartwillrecognizethat changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventi~m.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A soil sampler comprising:
a probe to withdraw a soil sample from the ground, and a support structure for the probe, the support structure having a base, the support structure being capable of moving the probe to multiple withdrawal locations without moving the base, the support structure being adapted for mounting on a vehicle, movement of the support structure being controllable by an operator within the vehicle, wherein the support structure is capable of raising a soil sample to present the soil sample to the operator within the vehicle.

2. The soil sampler of claim 1 further comprising:
a sample collection receptacle supported by the support structure and positioned adjacent the probe for receiving soil samples, wherein the sample collection receptacle is readily detachable from the support structure.

3. The soil sampler of claim 2 wherein the support structure is raisable to support the sample collection receptacle adjacent a driver's window of the vehicle, and further comprising:
means for automatically moving the support structure to a position such that the sample collection receptacle is supported adjacent a driver's window of the vehicle.

4. The soil sampler of claim 1 wherein the support structure is extendable to locate a lower end of the probe as high as the base.

5. The soil sampler of claim 1 further comprising:

means for, automatically moving the support structure such that the probe withdraws soil samples from multiple pre-determined withdrawal locations about the vehicle.

6. A soil sampler comprising:
a probe to withdraw a soil sample from the ground;
a support structure for the probe, the support structure having a base, the support structure being capable of moving the probe to multiple withdrawal locations without moving the base, the support structure being adapted for mounting on a vehicle: and a vibrator to assist in inserting the probe into the ground.

7. The soil sampler of claim 6 wherein the vibrator comprises:
a motor;
a vibration unit which vibrates when powered by the motor:
and a drive shaft to transmit power from the motor to the vibration unit, the drive shaft having a joint which assists in dampening vibrating such that the motor is separated from the vibration unit.

8. The soil sampler of claim 6 wherein the vibrator comprises:
a switch which automatically activates the vibrator when the support structure encounters resistance in moving the probe.

9. A method of taking a soil sample with a soil sampler, the soil sampler having a supported, moveable probe, the method comprising:
moving the probe to a soil withdrawal location:
inserting the probe into the ground:
withdrawing a soil sample within the probe from the ground;
and moving the probe to a second soil withdrawal location without moving the soil sampler and prior to removing the soil sample from the soil sampler.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:
moving the probe to a location adjacent an operator in a vehicle; and withdrawing the soil sample from the probe from within the vehicle.